Norfolk and Suffolk - serial burglar jailed

A Great Yarmouth man who stole from multiple homes and vehicles across Norfolk and Suffolk has been jailed for four years.

Darren Broome, aged 46, of no fixed abode, appeared before Norwich Crown Court on Thursday 16 November 2023 for sentencing.

Broome had previously pleaded guilty to three offences which were: one attempted burglary in South Road Gorleston on 1 September 2023, one burglary in Gordon Road, Gorleston, on 12 September 2023, and fraud by false representation on the same date, namely using a stolen debit card.

In the first case he was seen with a ladder at the property, but left the scene when he was disturbed.

In the second he entered the home at around 6pm while the owner was out and stole a purse containing bank cards, a Nintendo Switch, and two pairs of jogging bottoms.

He subsequently used a bank card for cashback and tobacco in two shops in St Peter’s Road, Great Yarmouth, where he was identified by CCTV.

He was arrested in Deneside, Great Yarmouth, on 14 September 2023 and was remanded by magistrates the following day.

Whilst on remand in prison he was approached by teams from both the Norfolk and Suffolk Operation Converter units who worked with him to identify other offences he had committed.

As a result, and after further investigations, he asked for 32 other offences to be taken into consideration (TIC’d) all of which occurred between February 2018 and August 2023.

They comprised one burglary dwelling and 11 theft from motor vehicles in Lowestoft, and 14 home burglaries, one shed burglary, one theft from a motor vehicle, two taking without consent of cars, and two theft of pedal cycles from across Gorleston and Great Yarmouth.

He entered homes at all times of the day or night, sometimes when the occupants were sleeping, taking items close to hand including jewellery, keys, a games console, laptop, cash, handbags, tools, and tobacco. He also stole items like sunglasses and loose change from cars, on occasion targeting multiple vehicles in the same street.

Duncan Etchells, staff supervisor of Op Converter Norfolk said: “Broome is a prolific, and often opportunist offender, who stole to fund a drug habit and would have continued to offend had he not been caught.

“Once charged he was persuaded to engage with Operation Converter in both Norfolk and Suffolk who, due to their meticulous and diligent work, were able to detect 32 more crimes which were taken into consideration by the court.

“All the victims will be informed of the outcome, hopefully bringing some peace of mind.

“For Broome it gives him an opportunity to clear his slate and make a fresh start without the shadow of being brought to court for his previous crimes hanging over him."

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.